Introducing GQ’s Best Dressed Awards 2022 Recipients
The most stylish event on South Africa’s social calendar, GQ’s Best Dressed Awards in proud association with Scottish Leader, Lexus South Africa, Markham and Crocs was held at 92 Rivonia in Sandton, on the 27th of August. Having run for 16 years and counting, the awards ceremony recognised the most stylish people of the year. GQ hosted some of South Africa’s most influential individuals and industry-heavy hitters at a uniquely glitzy event.
This year South Africa’s best-dressed list has 12 categories with one of the honours being an award where readers nominated themselves or someone, they consider stylish, using the hashtag #GQBD2022. GQ Editor-in-Chief, Molife Kumona and his team have welcomed entries, saying: “GQ Best Dressed always show us that not only does style continue to evolve, but there are people out there who have great personal style. Lockdown didn’t ruin their vibe.”
This year’s GQ Best Dressed winners are, and in no specific order:
Fashion Icon Award: Riky Rick
Rikhado Muziwendlovu Makhado, known as Riky Rick, was a South African rapper, singer and producer. He was also the founder and owner of the record label Cotton Club Records and he’s well known for his hit songs like Boss Zonke and Nafukwa. Dubbed the “King of Kotini” (the cotton king), loosely translated as a ‘fashion king’, he was considered a fashion icon. His fashion sense captured the attention of local and global brands, and he has graced the covers of both GQ and GQ Style. His association with local brands brought the music and fashion spaces closer together, solidifying Africa’s position as the hub of fashion and entertainment.
Best Dressed Celebrity: Musa Keys
Amapiano superstar Musa Keys refers to himself as the “Tsonga” Michael Jackson, noting that the name was inspired by his flamboyant style and the late king of pop. Born Musa Makamu in Giyani, the muso was raised in Polokwane in Limpopo and has been dominating the charts since he burst into the limelight with his infectious hits. Some of his hit songs include Wena, Vula Mlomo, and Selema.
Best Dressed Young Creative: Nkuley Masemola
Nkululeko Masemola, known as Nkuley, is a model, content creator and DJ born in Pretoria. He is co-designer for The Uniconz and works as a model. Nkuley has been the muse and model to local and luxury brands including Rich Mnisi, Thebe Magugu, Wanda Lephoto and Nao Serati. While the designers Masemola has posed for come with their own aesthetic, Nkuley’s unique, provocative and confrontational style is often a dominant essence that has pushed Masemola out of the modelling scene.
Best Dressed Couple: Keneilwe Mothoa and Lubabalo Mxalisa
In 2018, South African creatives Keneilwe Mothoa and Lubabalo Mxalisa launched Neimil, a design and lifestyle brand focused on telling authentic African stories through design and photography. Since then, the duo has produced a clothing collection featuring beautifully textured considered pieces and collaborated with H&M Home on an exclusive home collection. The couple create narratives which provide space for us to find meaning in who we are.
Best Dressed Woman: Nomuzi ‘Moozlie’ Mabena
Nomuzi Mabena, professionally known as Moozlie is a rapper and television presenter. Born in Benoni, Gauteng, the rapper and television personality has shown us her star power following her debut on our screens as the winner of the MTV Base VJ Search in 2012, which propelled her success to greater heights. She has since hosted various major entertainment shows and events, as well as a red-carpet correspondent for local and international award, shows — including the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles and the MTV Europe Music Awards in Glasgow, Scotland. She has collaborated with fashion brands and all her collaborations have been a testament to her brand’s strength and her consistency in staying true to herself.
Best Dressed Influencer: Bradley Ndlovu
Bradley Ndlovu is a multi-dimensional digital and entertainment entrepreneur. Project manager and currently works with fashion designer Rich Mnisi as the brand operation manager. Bradley has solidified his space in the fashion industry by him using his social media as a tool to showcase his unique style.
Best Dressed Afro-Modernist Style: Wanda Lephoto
Fashion designer, Wanda Lephoto explores a notion of luxury dress merging African cultures, traditions, identities and approaches with global nuances to form new propositions for representation. Wanda Lephoto aims to fuse two or more worlds to create a space that is free and allows people to negotiate the boundaries of their own representation and identity through style and culture. Wanda Lephoto is here to tell a story.
Best Dressed Classic Style: Bafana Mthembu
Bafana Mthembu, also known as the Eezy Nkabi, gained popularity for his unique fashion videos where he starts his Get Ready with Me videos by saying “asqoke” his style showcases the AmaBhinca culture. Now, the 30-year-old has been nominated at the 2022 South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMAs) and his videos are adored by many on social media.
Best Dressed Reader: Ruvesh Pillay
A biochemist student at the Wits, self-proclaimed sneaker enthusiast and a foodie. Ruvesh uses his social media as his runway which he used to enter the GQ Best Dressed Reader search and now that got him votes from our readers. His style is clean, crisp and very detailed which proves his love for fashion.
Best Dressed Street Style: Bafana Shandu Mabatha
Bafana Shandu Mabatha, known as Bafreckles. Is a self-taught men’s fashion designer, streetwear model, sneaker enthusiast and founder of Bafreckles Upcycling.
Best Dressed Avant – Garde: Tazmé Pillay
Tazmé Pillay is a club kid, performance artist, DJ, drag mother and founder of the death of Glitter (D.O.G), one of Cape Town’s most loved queer nightlife happenings.
Special Award – Best Dressed Breakout Star: Denetric and Lebo Malope (The Malope Brothers)
Denetric and Lebo Malope from Limpopo are the new African Kings of the international runaway. They dominated Spring/Summer 2023 in Malan and Paris Fashion Weeks on runways for Fendi, Prada, Dolce and Gabbana just to mention a few and they only just getting started.